George Russell

If you look at the details for "The Essence Of George Russell" here it appears that the 60:28 ascribed to the first track by AMG is actually the total for all 3 (19:45 + 19:51 + 20:53) and the 14:07 relates to the 4th track, Now And Then.

Those times don't appear to tie-in with either version of "Electronic Sonata For Souls Loved By Nature" 'though....

To confuse matters further, the discography at GeoreRussell.com includes "The Essence Of George Russell" and "Electronic Sonata For Souls Loved By Nature 1980" but not "Electronic Sonata For Souls Loved By Nature 1968"....

The "Essence of George Russell" (Sonet, 1967) version is the lengthiest, with three parts stretched over three sides. I think the Soul Note CD brings 'em together into one track, but don't hold me to it. This features a larger ensemble w/ less electronic intervention. The first few minutes are actually somewhat funky.

The "Electronic Sonatas" (Flying Dutchman, 1969) version is the one to search. Sextet recording featuring Garbarek, Rypdal and Christensen w/ lots of electronics and even an extended sample. Rypdal tears the place apart on the second half. Crucial stuff.

I've always avoided the 1980 version, due to an perceived consensus that it falls short of the earlier two recordings.

Well, in the absence of an actual review, the five star rating is suspect at best. I've yet to find a discussion of George Russell's discography-- including this one-- that doesn't downgrade the 1980 version.

(That said, I'd still give it a listen if I ever actually stumbled over it.)

Get this: www.amazon.com/Black-Saint-Soul-George-Russell/dp/B003QM1ANU/

The Complete Black Saint & Soul Note recordings (9 CDs!) can be had for less than $40. It has all three versions of *Electronic Sonata for Souls Loved By Nature*, and actually, I think all three are excellent.

1) 1967 studio version (on *The Essence of George Russell*) - recorded by a huge group (21 players), heavy on the brass.

2) 1969 live version (on *Electronic Sonata For Souls Loved By Nature - 1968*...why "1968" is in the title when it was recorded in 1969, I don't know.) - sextet.

3) 1980 studio version (on *Electronic Sonata For Souls Loved By Nature - 1980*) with a sextet configuration. This version starts off significantly slower than the previous versions. It doesn't feature Rypdal and Garbarek, but there are some interesting things going on; it definitely is going for a different vibe at the beginning. Don't dismiss it until you hear it.

The boxed set also features an abridged FOURTH version - it's entitled "Souls" and it uses the main theme in an 8-minute live take, recorded in 1970 with a sextet (incl. Rypdal, Garbarek, and Christensen). This is on *Trip to Prillarguri*.